GB2597564A

GB2597564A - Multi-panel organic light emitting display device

Info

Publication number: GB2597564A
Application number: GB2103165.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kwon Ohjong; Oh Changho; Lee HyeonWoo; Hong Youngjun
Original assignee: LG Display Co Ltd
Current assignee: LG Display Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-03
Filing date: 2019-07-03
Publication date: 2022-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-03
Also published as: CN110676290B; GB202103165D0; CN110676290A; DE102019117932A1; US20230225167A1; KR20200004174A; CN115734682A; GB202208073D0; GB2576416A; US20210159307A1; GB201909564D0; GB2597564B; GB2604830B; CN115802826A; KR102578423B1; GB2576416B; US11626468B2; GB2604830A; US20200013846A1; US10943969B2

Abstract

A multi-panel organic light emitting display (OLED) device 1000 includes at least one display panel 100A-D disposed to be adjacent to each other, each of the display panels includes: a base substrate 110 (Figure 1C) including an active area AA (Figure 1D) and a nonactive area NA (Figure 1D) surrounding the active area; and a display unit including pixels PX disposed on a top surface of the base substrate, the width of the non-active area between the outermost pixel and the edge of a panel is half the pitch between pixels. An insulating layer 180 (Figure 1C) may be included on the non-emissive area and may be black. The display panels may also include side lines 170 (Figure 1C) and contact pads PAD1 (Figure 1C). An auxiliary substrate 390 (Figure 3A) may be included on the rear surface of the substrate with an adhesive layer 395 (Figure 3A) between the two and link lines 360 on the rear surface of the auxiliary substrate.

Description

MULTI-PANEL ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DISPLAY DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent 5 Application No. 10-2018-0077281 filed on July 3, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a multi-panel organic light emitting display device including a plurality of display panels.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] As the information technology has developed, the field of display device has been developed that can represent information contained in an electrical information signals in the form of visual images. Thus, various display devices having excellent performance such as thin thickness, light weight, and low power consumption properties have been developed. Spec exarrvies of the above-mentioned dispjay device may include a liquid crysual display device (LCD)/ a plasma display panel device (PDP), a field emission display device (FED), an organic light emitting dip.iay device (OLED), and the like.

[0003] Particularly, the OLED is a self-luminous display Page 1 device and does not need a separate light source unlike LCDs. Thus, the OLED can be manufactured into a lightweight and thin form. Further, the OLED is advantageous in terms of power consumption since it is driven with a low voltage. Also, the OLED has excellent color expression ability, a high response speed, a wide viewing angle, and a high contrast ratio (CR). Therefore, it has been developed as a next-generation display device with large area and high resolution.

[0004] As display devices have been miniaturized, efforts have been made to reduce a bezel area in order to increase the size of an effective display area in the same area of the OLED. The OLED is generally equipped with a display panel including an active area where images are displayed and a non-active area defined along the circumference of the active area, a plurality of driving circuits disposed in the non-active area, and a printed circuit board (PCB) that supply control signals to the plurality of driving circuits. However, the driving circuits or a plurality of link lines for electrically connecting the display panel and the driving circuits are disposed in the non-active area, and, thus, there have been limitations in minimizing the bezel area.

[0005] Meanwhile, it is impossible to implement a super-large screen with a single panel. Thus, recently, a multi-panel display device including a plurality of display panels connected to each other to increase a display area has been used. For example, a super-large screen can be implemented by tiling a plurality of organic light emitting display panels.

Page 2 However, when a plurality of display panels is connected to each other, a bezel area between adjacent display panels can be seen by a user.

SUMMARY

[0006] An object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide an organic light emitting display device in which a narrow bezel can be implemented by minimizing the size of a non-active area.

[0007] Another object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a multi-panel organic light emitting display device which has a minimized size of a non-active area in order for a bezel area between display panels not to be seen by a user.

[0008] Yet another object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a multi-panel display device in which the distance between outermost pixels of adjacent display panels is the same as the distance between pixels in a display panel.

[0009] Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects, which are not mentioned above, can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a 25 multi-panel organic light emitting display device includes a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other. Each of the plurality of display panels includes: a Page 3 base substrate including an active area and a non-active area surrounding the active area; and a display unit including an organic light emitting element disposed on a top surface of the base substrate. Each of the plurality of display panels also includes: a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to the display unit; and a plurality of link lines disposed under the base substrate. Each of the plurality of display panels further includes a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and connecting the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines. Each of the plurality of display panels also includes a driving circuit disposed under the base substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of link lines.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-panel organic light emitting display device includes a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other. Each of the plurality of display panels includes: a base substrate including an active area and a non-active area surrounding the active area; and a display unit including an organic light emitting element disposed on a top surface of the base substrate. Each of the plurality of display panels also includes: an encapsulation substrate disposed on the display unit to be opposite to the base substrate; and a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to the display unit. Each of the plurality of display panels further includes: a Page 4 plurality of link lines disposed on a top surface of the encapsulation substrate and connected to a driving circuit; and a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and connecting the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines.

[0012] Other detailed matters of the exemplary embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a bezel area of a multi-panel organic light emitting display device can be 10 minimized.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, in a multi-panel organic light emitting display device, the distance between outermost pixels of adjacent display panels is reduced to the distance between pixels in a display panel. Thus, a bezel area between the display panels cannot be seen.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a large display device with excellent resolution.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, a large organic light emitting display device can be implemented by increasing 20 the intensity of a signal transferred from a printed circuit board to an organic light emitting element.

[0017] The effects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other aspects, features and other Page 5 advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F are schematic diagrams provided 5 to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams provided to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D are schematic diagrams provided to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic rear views provided to explain a structure of a driving circuit disposed on a rear 15 surface of a third substrate of a display panel illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D; FIG. SA and FIG. 513 are schematic rear views provided to explain another structure of the driving circuit disposed on the rear surface of the third substrate of the display panel 20 including the third substrate; FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic rear views provided to explain yet another structure of the driving circuit disposed on the rear surface of the third substrate of the display panel including the third substrate; FIG. 7A through FIG. 7D are schematic diagrams provided to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; Page 6 FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic cross-sectional views provided to explain a link structure between a side line and a signal line in a multi-panel organic light emitting display device including a top emission display panel; and FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic cross-sectional views provided to explain a link structure between a side line and a signal line in a multi-panel organic light emitting display device including a bottom emission display panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0019] The advantages and characteristics of the present disclosure and a method of achieving the advantages and characteristics will be clear by referring to exemplary embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to exemplary embodiment disclosed herein but will be implemented in various forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided by way of example only so that a person with ordinary skill in the art can fully understand the disclosures of the present disclosure and the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appended claims.

[0020] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings for describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Like reference numerals generally denote like elements Page 7 throughout the specification. Further, in the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed explanation of known related technologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. The terms such as "including," "having," and "consist of" used herein are generally intended to allow other components to be added unless the terms are used with the term "only". Any references to singular may include plural unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0021] Components are interpreted to include an ordinary error range even if not expressly stated.

[0022] When the position relation between two parts is described using the terms such as "on", "above", "below", and "next", one or more parts may be positioned between the two parts unless the terms are used with the term "immediately" or "directly".

[0023] When an element or layer is disposed "on" another element or layer, another layer or another element may be interposed directly on the other element or therebetween.

[0024] Although the terms "first", "second", and the like are used for describing various components, these components are not confined by these terms. These terms are merely used for distinguishing one component from the other components. Therefore, a first component to be mentioned below may be a second component in a technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0025] Like reference numerals generally denote like elements Page 8

throughout the specification.

[0026] A size and a thickness of each component illustrated in the drawing are Illustrated for convenience of description, and the present disclosure is not limited to the size and the 5 thickness of the component illustrated.

[0027] The features of various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely adhered to or combined with each other and can be interlocked and operated in technically various ways, and the embodiments can be carried out independently of or in association with each other.

[0028] Hereinafter, a display device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0029] FIG. IA through FIG. IF are schematic diagrams provided 15 to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. íA is a schematic plan view provided to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a schematic enlarged plan view of an area X of FIG. 1A. FIG. is a schematic cross-sectional view as taken along a line I-I' of FIG. 1B. FIG. 1D is a schematic top view of a first substrate of a first display panel in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device Illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. lE is a schematic rear view of the first substrate of the first display panel in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device Illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1F is a schematic Page 9 side view of the first display panel in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device illustrated in FIG. 1A. [0030] Referring to FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F, a multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 according to an 5 embodiment of the present disclosure is equipped with a plurality of display panels. The plurality of display panels may be disposed in the form of an m x n tile array to implement the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000. FIG. lA illustrates that 20 display panels are 10 disposed in the form of a 5 x 4 tile array, for convenience of description. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of display panels can be selected as necessary.

[0031] Referring to FIG. lB illustrating the area X of FIG. lA, 15 a plurality of display panels 100A, 100B, 1005, and 100D may be disposed in contact with each other vertically or horizontally. For example, the plurality of display panels includes a first display panel 100A, a second display panel 100B, a third display panel 1005, and a fourth display panel 100D. The first display panel 100A and the second display panel 100B are disposed to be in contact with each other horizontally, and the first display panel 100A and the third display panel 100C are disposed to be in contact with each other vertically.

[0032] FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a contact portion between the first display panel 100A and the second display panel 100B. Referring to FIG. 15, the first display Page 10 panel 100A is equipped with a first substrate 110, a display unit 120, a second substrate 130, and a sealant 140. Further, the first display panel 100A is equipped with a plurality of signal lines 150, a plurality of link lines 160, a plurality of side lines 170, and an insulating layer 180. Herein, the other display panels including the second display panel 100B may be configured substantially identical to the first display panel 100A and may be configured differently in part as necessary.

[0033] The first substrate 110 serves as a base substrate for supporting various components of the display panel 100A and may be an insulating substrate. For example, the first substrate 110 may be formed of glass or plastic. In some embodiments, the first substrate 110 may be formed of a material having flexibility so that the first substrate 110 can be bent as necessary. In one embodiment, the first substrate 110 includes a top surface 102 (e.g. in the orientation shown in FIG. 10) opposite a rear surface 104, wherein the top surface 102 may also be referred to as a first surface and the rear surface may also be referred to as a second surface.

[0034] In the first substrate 110, an active area AA and a non-active area NA surrounding the active area AA may be defined. The active area AA is a region where images are actually displayed in the display panel 100A. The display unit 120 to be described later may be disposed in the active area AA. The non-active area NA is a region where images are not Page 11 displayed and may be defined as a region surrounding the active area AA. Various lines such as gate lines GL and data lines DL connected to a thin film transistor (TFT) of the display unit 120 in the active area AA may be disposed in the non-active area NA. Further, a driving circuit, e.g., a data driving integrated circuit (IC) chip or a gate driving IC chip, and a plurality of pads may be disposed in the non-active area NA. However, the present disclosure is not limited ?thereto. [0035] A plurality of pixels PX is defined in the active area AA of the first substrate 110. Each of the plurality of pixels PX is an individual unit that emits light. The plurality of pixels PX may include a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel, but is not limited thereto. The display unit 120 is disposed on each of the plurality of pixels PX.

[0036] The display unit 120 displays an image. Although not specifically illustrated in FIG. lA through FIG. 1F, an organic light emitting element and a circuit unit for driving the organic light emitting element are included in the display unit 120. Specifically, the organic light emitting element includes an anode, a plurality of organic layers, and a cathode to emit light by combining electrons and holes. The plurality of organic layers may include a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an emitting layer (EML), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL), but is not limited thereto. Further, the circuit unit may include a plurality of TFTs, a capacitor, and a plurality of lines to drive the organic light emitting element.

Page 12 [0037] Meanwhile, in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 shown in FIG. íA through FIG. 1F, the display panel 100A may be of top emission type in which light from the organic light emitting element is emitted toward a top side of the first substrate 110. In the top emission display panel, the circuit unit may be disposed on the first substrate 110 and the organic light emitting element may be disposed on the circuit unit. More specifically, the TFT may be disposed on the first substrate 110, a planarization layer may be disposed on the TFT, and the anode, the plurality of organic layers including the EML and the cathode may be laminated in sequence on the planarization layer.

[0038] Since the display panel 100A is of top emission type, the anode includes a reflective layer and a transparent conductive layer. The reflective layer may be formed of a material having excellent reflexibility, e.g., silver (Ag) or an Ag-containing alloy. The transparent conductive layer may be formed of a transparent conductive material, e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO)-, indium zinc oxide (IZO)-, indium tin zinc oxide (ITZ0)-, zinc oxide (Zn0)-, and tin oxide (Ti0)-based transparent conductive oxides (TOO). Like the transparent conductive layer, the cathode may be formed of a TOO.

[0039] The second substrate 130 is disposed on the display unit 120 to be opposite to the first substrate 110.

Specifically, the display unit 120 is on the first or top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 130 is on the display unit. In one embodiment, the Page 13 second substrate 130 is on a top surface of the display unit 120. The second substrate 130 serves as an encapsulation plate and protects the organic light emitting element of the display unit 120 against moisture, air, or physical impacts, which may permeate from the outside. The second substrate 130 may be disposed as one of, for example, glass, metal foil, and plastic film. Herein, the encapsulation plate is also referred to as an encapsulation substrate. The second substrate 130 may not have a glass or plate form but may be an encapsulation layer formed by coating an organic material or an inorganic material. Herein, the encapsulation layer may be formed of various inorganic materials such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (Si0x), silicon oxide nitride (SION), and the like. Otherwise, the encapsulation layer may be formed of organic materials such as polystyrene resin, acryl resin, epoxy resin, urea resin, isocyanate resin, xylene resin, and the like.

[0040] The sealant 140 is disposed between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 130 in the non-active area NA.

The sealant 140 is disposed to surround the periphery of the display unit 120 and bonds the first substrate 110 to the second substrate 130. The sealant 140 serves to suppress permeation of moisture and oxygen through a side surface of the display panel 100A and thus may be referred to as a dam.

Although not Illustrated in FIG. 10, the sealant may not be provided if the second substrate 130 does not have a glass or plate form but is an encapsulation layer formed by coating an Page 14 organic material or an inorganic material.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 15, the plurality of signal lines 150 are disposed on a top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 and the plurality of link lines 160 are disposed on a rear 5 surface 104 of the first substrate 110. A rear surface, as used herein, may also be refered to as a bottom surface. The plurality of signal lines 150 is electrically connected to components of the display unit 120 to transfer signals to the display unit 120. The pluralicy of link lines 160 serves to 10 connect the plurality of signal lines 150 disposed on the top surface of the first substrate 110 to the driving circuit.

[0042] Specifically, referring to FIG. 1D illustrating the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110, the plurality of signal lines 150 disposed on the top surface IO2 of the first substrate 110 may include a plurality of gate lines GL and a plurality of data lines DL. The plurality of gate lines GL and the plurality of data lines DL are connected to the TFT of the display unit 120 disposed in the active area AA and transfer gate signals and data signals.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1E illustrating the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110, the plurality of link lines 160 disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110 may include a plurality of gate link lines GLL and a plurality of data link lines DLL. The plurality of gate link lines GLL serves to connect the plurality of gate lines GL disposed on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 to a gate driving circuit. Also, the plurality of data link lines DLL Page 15 serves to connect the plurality of data lines DL disposed on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 to a data driving circuit. The plurality of gate link lines GLL and the plurality of data link lines DLL may be extended from an end 5 of the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110 toward the center of the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. [0044] Referring to FIG. 1C, each of the plurality of signal lines 150 may include a first pad PAD1, and each of the plurality of link lines 160 may Include a second pad PAD2. The 10 first pad PAD1 is a region in contact with the side line 170 to be described later. Herein, the first pad PAD1 may be a metal layer extended from the plurality of signal lines 150, and the second pad PAD2 may be a metal layer extended from the plurality of link lines 160.

[0045] Although not Illustrated in FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F, the gate driving circuit electrically connected to the plurality of gate link lines GLL or the data driving circuit electrically connected to the plurality of data link lines DLL may be disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Otherwise, both the gate driving circuit and the data driving circuit may be disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Herein, the gate driving circuit and the data driving circuit may be mounted directly on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110 by a chip on glass (COG) method. Otherwise, the gate driving circuit and the data driving circuit may be disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110 by a chip on film (COF) method. Meanwhile, Page 16 the driving circuit may be connected to a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may transfer various signals to the plurality of signal lines 150 and the display unit 120 disposed on the first substrate 110. The layout of the gate driving circuit and the data driving circuit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4A through FIG. 6B.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1C, the plurality of side lines 170 are disposed on a side surface 106 of the first substrate 110. The side surface 106 of the first substrate 110 may be a surface arranged between the top surface and the rear surface of the first substrate 110. The plurality of side lines 170 serve to electrically connect the plurality of signal lines 150 disposed on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 to the plurality of link lines I60 disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. The plurality of side lines 170 are disposed to cover ends of the plurality of signal lines 150 disposed on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110, the side surface 106 of the first substrate 110, and ends of the plurality of link lines 160 disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. That is, the plurality of side lines 170 are disposed to continuously cover the first pads PAD1 of the plurality of signal lines 150, the side surface 106 of the first substrate 110, and the second pads PAD2 of the plurality of link lines 160.

[0047] More specifically, the plurality of side lines 170 may include a first side line that connects the gate line GL on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 t3 the gate Page 17 link line GLL on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Further, the plurality of side lines 170 may include a second side line that connects the data line DL on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 to the data link line DLL on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110.

[0048] The plurality of side lines 170 may include a patterned metal layer to connect the corresponding signal lines 150 and link lines 160, respectively. The patterned metal layer may be formed of a conductive material such as Ag, or the like.

[0049] Specifically, the plurality of side lines 170 may be formed by laser transfer printing. For example, the plurality of side lines 170 may be formed by irradiating a laser onto a base member on which a metal transfer layer is formed to transfer the metal transfer layer onto the side surface 106 of the first substrate 110. Herein, the metal transfer layer may be formed of a conductive material such as Ag, or the like.

[0050] Herein, the side line 170 may have a greater or smaller width than the signal line 150 and the link line 160. Preferably, the side line 170 has a greater width than the signal line 150 and the link line 160 to increase a contact area between the lines.

[0051] The insulating layer 180 is formed to cover the plurality of side lines 170. In other words, it may be said that the insulating layer 180 is disposed over a surface of the side lines 170 that does not face the side surface of the base substrate 110. The insulating layer 180 contains a black material so as to cover the side lines 170, and, thus, the Page 18 side lines are not seen from the outside. If the plurality of side lines 170 is formed of a metal material, external light may be reflected from the plurality of side lines 170 or light emitted from the display unit 120 may be reflected from the plurality of side lines 170. Thus, the side lines 170 can be seen by a user. Accordingly, the insulating layer 180 formed of the black material is disposed to cover the plurality of side lines 170. Therefore, the above-described problem can be overcome.

[0052] Referring to FIG. lb and FIG. 1E, the insulating layer is disposed on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 so as to cover at least a part of the non-active area NA. The insulating layer 180 is disposed continuously along an edge of the first substrate 110 so as to surround the top surface 102 and the side surface 106 of the first substrate 110. Likewise, the insulating layer 180 is disposed continuously along the edge of the first substrate 110 so as to surround the entire side surface 106 of the first substrate 110. That is, the insulating layer 180 may be formed of a single layer that covers all of the plurality of side lines 170. In one embodiment, the insulating layer 180 comprises a resin, a polymer, a thermoplastic, or the like.

[0053] Herein, the insulating layer 180 may be disposed to cover a part of the plurality of signal lines 150, i.e., the gate lines GL and the data lines DL, disposed on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110. The insulating layer 180 may also be disposed to cover a part of the plurality of Page 19 link lines 160, i.e., the gate link lines GLL and the data link lines DLL, disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Further, the insulating layer 180 is disposed on the side surface of the first substrate 110 where the gate lines GL and the data lines DL are not disposed and thus can further suppress reflection of external light.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1C, in the display panel 100A included in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, various drivers such as the gate driving circuit or the data driving circuit are disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Also, the PCB is disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Thus, the non-active area NA can be reduced. As a result, with the above-described configuration, a bezel area of the display panel 100A can be reduced.

[0055] By reducing the bezel area of the display panel 100A, a bezel area between the display panels in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 configured by connecting the plurality of display panels may not be seen by the user.

[0056] In the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000, the distance between outermost pixels of the adjacent display panels 100A and 100B is generally greater than the distance between pixels in the display panel 100A due to the size of the bezel area of the display panel 100A. Therefore, the distance between pixels in the display panel Page 20 100A is different from the distance between pixels in a contact portion between the display panels 100A and 100B. Thus, the bezel area between the display panels can be more clearly seen by the user, and when a super-large screen is implemented using the display panels, it looks unnatural and inharmonious. If the distance between pixels in the display panel 100A is increased to be the same as the distance between outermost pixels of the adjacent display panels in order for the bezel area between the display panels not to be seen, the resolution of the display device may be degraded. The term "outermost pixels" may refer to pixels closest to the edge of a display panel when viewed from the top.

[0057] In the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bezel areas of the display panels 100A and 1003 can be reduced. Thus, The distance between outermost pixels of the adjacent display panels 100A and 100B can be reduced to the distance between pixels in the display panel 100A. Therefore, it is possible to implement a large display device in which the bezel area between the display panels 100A is not seen (seamless) and which has high resolution.

[0058] More specifically, referring to FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pitch P between pixels PX is the sum of a seam S between the outermost pixels of the adjacent display panels 100A and 100B and a length of an emission area of the pixel PX. Herein, the Page 21 seam S between the outermost pixels of the adjacent display panels is double the size B of the bezel area of the display panel 100A. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can have a narrow bezel. Thus, the seam S between the outermost pixels of the adjacent display panels 100A and 100B can be minimized. Therefore, the pitch P between the pixels can also be minimized, and excellent resolution can be achieved.

[0059] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams provided to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of the first substrate 110 of a first display panel 200A in a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 213 is a schematic side view of the first display panel 200A in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B is substantially the same as the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 shown in FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F except that an insulating layer 280 is disposed differently. Therefore, redundant description will be omitted.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2A, the insulating layer 280 may have a patterned structure to cover each of the plurality of side lines 170 that is patterned to connect the signal lines 150 to Page 22 the link lines 160, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1E, the insulating layer 180 is formed as a single layer to cover all of the plurality of side lines 170 and disposed continuously along the edge of the first substrate 110. However, the insulating layer 280 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 23 has a plurality of patterned insulating structures corresponding to the respective side lines 170. Each of the plurality of patterned insulating structures may also be said to be an insulating structure portion (which, in combination with other insulating structure portions, form a pattern). Referring to FIG. 2B, the first substrate 110 and the sealant 140 are not covered in part by the insulating layer 280 and thus are exposed to the outside. More specifically, the insulating layer 280 may include a plurality of first insulating patterns 281 covering the side lines 170 that connects the gate lines GL on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 and the gate link lines GLL on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Further, the insulating layer 280 may include a plurality of second insulating patterns 282 covering the side lines 170 that connects the data lines DL on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 and the data link lines DLL on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, if the insulating layer 280 has patterned structures according to the plurality of side lines 170, the insulating layer 280 and the side lines 170 may be formed continuously by laser transfer printing. Specifically, the side lines 170 may be patterned on the side Page 23 surface of the first substrate 110 and then, the insulating layer 280 may be patterned on the side lines 170 disposed on the side surface of the first substrate 110.

[0062] FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D are schematic diagrams provided to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a contact portion between a first display panel 300A and a second display panel 300B included in a multi-panel organic light emitting display device 3000 according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a schematic side view of the first display panel 300A of the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 3000 according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3C is a schematic top view of the first substrate 110 of the first display panel 300A shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3D is a schematic rear view of a third substrate 390 of the first display panel 300A shown in FIG. 3A. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device shown in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D is substantially the same as the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 shown in FIG. lA through FIG. 1F except that the third substrate 390 is further disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110, and, thus, the plurality of link lines 160, the plurality of side lines 170, and the insulating layer 180 are configured differently. Therefore, redundant description will be omitted.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3A, the third substrate 390 is Page 24 disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. The third substrate 390 serves as an auxiliary substrate supporting components disposed on a lower side of the display device and may be an insulating substrate. For example, the third substrate 390 may be formed of glass or resin. Further, the third substrate 390 may contain a polymer or plastic. The third substrate 390 may be formed of the same material as the first substrate 110.

[0064] The plurality of link lines 360 are disposed on a rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390. In one embodiment, the rear surface 392 is a second surface opposite a first or top surface 394 of the third substrate 390. Specifically, the plurality of gate link lines GLL and the plurality of data link lines DLL may be disposed on the rear surface of the third substrate 390. In other words, it may be said that the rear surface of the auxiliary substrate 390 is the surface of the auxiliary substrate 390 furthest from the rear surface of the base substrate 110.

[0065] An adhesive layer 395 is disposed between the first substrate 110 and the third substrate 390. The adhesive layer 395 bonds the first substrate 110 to the third substrate 390. The adhesive layer 395 may be formed of a material which can be cured by various curing method to bond the first substrate 110 to the third substrate 390. The adhesive layer 395 may be disposed in whole or only in part between the first substrate 110 and the third substrate 390.

[0066] Herein, the size of the third substrate 390 may be Page 25 equal to or smaller than that of the first substrate 110. The size of the third substrate 390 can be adjusted depending on the kind and the structure of a driving circuit to be disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390. The size of the third substrate 390 and the layout of a driving circuit will be described later with reference to FIG. 4A through FIG. 6D.

[0067] The multi-panel organic light emitting display device 3000 shown in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D has a merit of easiness in manufacturing each display panel. Specifically, like the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 shown in FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F, the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 3000 may include the display panel LUCA in which the display unit 120 and the plurality of signal lines 150 are disposed on the top surface 102 of the first substrate 110 and the link lines 160 and the driving circuit are disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. In this case, it is difficult to place the components on the both surfaces 102, 104 of the first substrate 110. However, the display unit 120 and the signal lines 150 may be disposed on the first substrate 110 and the link lines 360 and the driving circuit may be disposed on the third substrate 390 and then the first substrate 110 and the third substrate 390 may be bonded to each other. This process is advantageous in terms of process stability and product reliability.

[0068] Hereafter, a structure of the driving circuit disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390 will be Page 26 described.

[0069] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic rear views provided to explain a structure of a driving circuit disposed on a rear surface 392 of a third substrate 390 of a display panel 5 illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 4A, a gate driving circuit (G-IC), a data driving circuit (D-IC), a flexible circuit film (FCF), and a printed circuit board (PCB) are disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390.

[0071] Herein, the G-IC and the D-IC are disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390 by the COG method. More specifically, the G-IC directly connected to the gate link lines GLL and the D-IC directly connected to the data link lines DLL are mounted directly on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390.

[0072] The FCF is disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390. The FCF serves to transfer various signals from the PCB to the D-IC. A plurality of lines may be disposed on or within the FCF to electrically connect the PCB to the D-IC. One side of the FCF is connected to the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390 and the other side of the FCF is connected to the PCB. The FCF is a flexible insulating film and may be formed as a heat-resistant plastic film of a flexible material such as polyester (PET) or polyimide (PI).

[0073] The PCB serves to transfer various signals to the display unit 120 through the plurality of link lines 360 Page 27 disposed on the third substrate 390. For example, a timing controller or the like may be disposed on the PCB. The timing controller may supply various signals to the D-IC through the FCF. For example, the timing controller may generate a data driver control signal (DDC), a gate driver control signal (GDC), and the like and supply them to the D-IC.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4B, the G-IC, the D-IC, the FCF, and the PCB are disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390.

[0075] In this case, the G-IC and the D-IC are disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390 by the COF method. Specifically, each of the G-IC and the D-IC is disposed on the FCF.

[0076] In the same manner as in FIG. 4A, the G-IC is connected to the gate link lines GLL through the plurality of lines disposed on the FCF and the D-IC is connected to the data link lines DLL through the plurality of lines disposed on the FCF. [0077] Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, both the G-IC and the D-IC are disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390, and, thus, the third substrate 390 may be disposed to have substantially the same size as the first substrate 110.

[0078] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic rear views provided to explain another structure of the driving circuit disposed on the rear surface of the third substrate 390 of the display panel including the third substrate. The display panel 500A, 500B shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is substantially the same as Page 28 the display panel 300A shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 43 except the layout of the circuits and the size of the third substrate 590A, 590B, in addition to other differences described below. The third substrates 590A, 590B described with reference to FIG. SA and FIG. SB have a first or rear surface 592A, 59213, respectively. It is to be understood that the third substrates 590A, 590B may be similar to the third substrate 390 except for the differences described below. Therefore, redundant

description will be omitted.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 5A, the S-IC, the FCF, and the PCB are disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Specifically, the S-IC is disposed on the rear surface 592A of the third substrate 590A by the COG method and electrically connected to the PCB through the FCF.

[0080] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the G-IC is disposed on the top surface 104 of the first substrate 110. For example, the G-IC may be implemented using TFTs disposed in the non-active area NA of the first substrate 110. This gate driving circuit may also be referred to as a gate-in-panel (GIP). Otherwise, the G-IC may be disposed between a plurality of pixels in the active area AA of the first substrate 110. This gate driving circuit may also be referred to as a gate-in-active area (GIA).

[0081] Referring to FIG. 5B, the S-IC, the FCF, and the PCB 25 are disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110. Specifically, the S-IC is disposed on the FCF by the COF method and disposed on the rear surface 5923 of the third Page 29 substrate 590B to be electrically connected to the PCB. In FIG. 5B, only the data link lines DLL are disposed on the rear surface 592B of the third substrate 590B.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the G-IC is disposed on the 5 top surface of the first substrate 110.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the D-IC and the data link lines DLL are disposed only on the rear surface 592A, 592B of the third substrate 590A, 590B and the G-IC is disposed on the first substrate 110. Thus, the third substrate 590A, 590B just needs to have a size for the D-IC. Therefore, the third substrate 590A, 590B has a smaller size than the first substrate 110 and the third substrate 390, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

[0084] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic rear views provided 15 to explain yet another structure of the driving circuit disposed on the rear surface of the third substrate of the display panel including the Third substrate. The display panels 600A, 600B shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, respectively, are substantially the same as the display panel 300A shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B except for the structure of the PCB and the size of the third substrate 390. Therefore, redundant description will be omitted.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 6A, the D-IC and a multiplexer (MUX) are disposed on the rear surface 692A of the third substrate 690A. Specifically, the D-IC is mounted on the rear surface 692A of the third substrate 690A by the COG method and the MUX is disposed on the rear surface 692B instead of the PCB.

Page 30 [0086] As illustrated in FIG. SA, the G-IC may be disposed in the non-active area NA of the first substrate 110 by the GIP method or disposed in the active area AA of the first substrate 110 by the GIA method.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 6B, the fl-IC and the MUX are disposed on the rear surface 6923 of the third substrate 6903. Specifically, the FCF is disposed on the rear surface 6923 of the third substrate 6903 the fl-IC is disposed on the FCF by the COF method. The FCF is connected to the MUX and the fl-IC is in electronic communication with the MUX via the FCF.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the G-IC is disposed on the top surface of the first substrate 110.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 6A and FIG. 613, the MUX is disposed directly on the rear surface 692A, 6923 of the third substrate 690A, 6903. Thus, the third substrate 690A, 6908 may have a size for the MUX. Therefore, the third substrate 690A, 6908 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 68 may have a smaller size than the third substrate 390 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4R and FIG. 48 in which the G-IC is disposed on the rear surface 392 of the third substrate 390. However, the third substrate 690A, 69015 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B may have a greater size than the third substrate 590A, 5908 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B in which the separate PCB is disposed on the rear surface 104 of the first substrate 110.

[0090] FIG. 7A through FIG. 75 are schematic diagrams provided Page 31 to explain a multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a contact portion between a first display panel 700A and a second display panel 7003 included in a multi-panel organic light emitting display device 7000 according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B is a schematic side view of the first display panel 700A shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 70 is a schematic rear view of a first substrate 710 of the first display panel 700A shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7D is a schematic top view of a second substrate 730 of the first display panel 700A shown in FIG. 7A. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device shown in FIG. 7A through FIG. 7D is substantially the same as the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 1000 shown in FIG. lA through FIG. 1F except that the display panel 700A is of bottom emission type, and, thus, the first substrate 710, the second substrate 730, a plurality of side lines 770, and an insulating layer 780 are configured differently. Therefore, redundant description will be omitted.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 7A, the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 7000 according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure includes the bottom emission display panel 700A. Specifically, each of the first display panel 700A and the second display panel 700B includes the first substrate 710, a display unit 720, the second substrate 730, a sealant 740, a plurality of signal lines 750, Page 32 a plurality of link lines 760, the plurality of side lines 770, and the insulating layer 780.

[0092] The display unit 720 is disposed on a first or top surface 702 of the first substrate 710. Herein, the display panel 700A is of bottom emission type in which light from an organic light emitting element is emitted toward a TFT. Specifically, the TFT may be disposed on the top surface 702 of the first substrate 710, a planarization layer may be disposed on the TFT, and an anode, a plurality of organic layers including an EML and a cathode may be laminated in sequence on the planarization layer. Since the display panel 700A is of bottom emission type, the anode may be formed of a transparent conductive layer and the cathode may be formed of a metal material. In the display panel 700A shown in FIG. 7A, light emitted from the organic light emitting element is reflected by the anode and emitted toward a second or rear surface 704 of the first substrate 710 on which the TEl is disposed.

[0093] The second substrate 730 is disposed on the display unit 720 to be opposite to the first substrate 710. The second substrate 730 serves as an encapsulation plate to protect the display unit 720. Unlike the display panel 100A shown in FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F, the plurality of link lines 760 needs to be disposed on a top surface of the second substrate 730. Thus, second substrate 730 may not be an encapsulation layer formed by coating an organic material or an inorganic material but may be formed of preferably high-hardness glass, metal foil, Page 33 and plastic film.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the plurality of signal lines 750 are disposed on the top surface 702 of the first substrate 710. The plurality of link lines 760 are disposed on a first or top surface 706 of the second substrate 730. Further, the plurality of side lines 770 are disposed on side surfaces 708, 709 of the first substrate 710 and the second substrate 730. The plurality of side lines 770 are disposed to cover the rear surface 704 of the first substrate 710, the side surface 708 of the first substrate 710, the side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines 750, the side surface 709 of the second substrate 730, and ends of the plurality of link lines 760 disposed on the top surface 706 of the second substrate 730. That is, the plurality of side lines 770 are disposed to continuously cover from the rear surface 704 of the first substrate 710 to the second pads PAD2 of the plurality of link lines 760 on the top surface 706 of the second substrate 730.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 7A through FIG. 7D, the display panel 700A included in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device 7000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is of bottom emission type. Even in this configuration, various drivers such as the G-IC or the D-IC and a PCB are disposed on the top surface of the second substrate 730 that protects the display unit 720. Thus, the non-active area NA can be reduced. As a result, with the above-described configuration, a bezel area of the display Page 34 panel 700A can be reduced.

[0096] Hereafter, a link structure between a side line and a signal line or a link line will be described.

[0097] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic cross-sectional views 5 provided to explain a link structure between a side line and a signal line in a multi-panel organic light emitting display device including a top emission display panel.

[0098] The display panel 800A shown in FIG. 8A has a structure in which there is no step between ends of a first substrate 810A and a second substrate 830A. Thus, side surfaces of a plurality of lines 850A disposed between the first substrate 810A and the second substrate 830A are disposed on the same plane with side surfaces of the first substrate 810A and the second substrate 830A. It there is no step between The ends of the first substrate 810A and the second substrate 830A, a contact area C8A between a side line 870A and a signal line 850A has a size equal to a height dl of the signal line 850A x a width of the signal line 850A. That is, the contact area 08A between the side line 870A and the signal line 850A is only a side surface of the signal line 850A. Thus, a current transferred to the signal line 850A through the side line 870A may not be sufficient.

[0099] However, in the display panel 800B shown in FIG. 8B, a first substrate 610B is more protruded to the outside than a second substrate 830B. In other words, it may be said that the side surface of the first substrate 810B extends beyond a side surface of the second substrate 830B. It may also be said that Page 35 a portion of the first substrate 610B closest to an edge of the display panel is uncovered/exposed by the second substrate 830B. Thus, there is a step 802 between ends of the first substrate 810B and the second substrate 830B. Due to the step 802 between the first substrate 810B and the second substrate 830B, a plurality of signal lines 850B can be disposed on the protruded first substrate 810B. In other words, it may be said that the plurality of signal lines 850B are disposed on the portion of a top surface the first substrate that is uncovered/exposed by the second substrate 830B. That is, the plurality of signal lines 650B is more extended to the outside than a side surface 804 of the second substrate 830B. In this case, top surfaces of the plurality of signal lines 850B are exposed to the outside and may form first pads BADS. The phrase "to the outside" may mean "away from a centre of the display panel".

[00100] In this case, a plurality of side lines 870B are disposed to cover the exposed top surfaces of the plurality of signal lines 650B, i.e., the first pads PADS. Thus, a contact area C6B between a side line 670B and a signal line 850B has a size equal to (a height dl of the signal line 850B + a length d2 of the exposed top surface of the signal line 850B) x a width of the signal line 650B. That is, the contact area 06B between the side line 670B and the signal line 850B includes a side surface of the signal line 850B as well as the top surface of the signal line 850B exposed due to the step between the first substrate 810B and the second substrate 830B.

Page 36 Thus, the contact area 08B between the side line 870B and the signal line 850B of the display panel shown in FIG. 8B is greater than the contact area C8A between the side line 870A and the signal line 850A of the display panel shown in FIG. 8A.

Due to an increase in the contact area, a current:_ransferred to the signal line through the side line can be greatly increased. Accordingly, it becomes easy to implement a large organic light emitting display device.

[00101] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic cross-sectional views 10 provided to explain a link structure between the side line and the signal line in the multi-panel organic light emitting display device including the bottom emission display panel.

[00102] The display panel 900A shown in FIG. 9A has a structure in which there is no step between ends of a first substrate 910A and a second substrate 930A. As described above with reference to FIG. 8A, if there is no step between the ends of the first substrate 910A and the second substrate 930A, a contact area C9A between a side line 970A and a signal line 950A has a size equal to a height dl of the signal line 950A x a width of the signal line 950A. That is, the contact area 09A between the side line 970A and the signal line 950A is only a side surface of the signal line 950A. Thus, a current transferred to the signal line 950A through the side line 970A may not be sufficient.

[00103] However, in the display panel shown in FIG. 9B, a first substrate 910B is more protruded to the outside than a second substrate 930B. Thus, there is a step 902 between ends of the Page 37 first substrate 910B and the second substrate 930B. Due to the step 902 between the first substrate 910B and the second substrate 930B, a plurality of signal lines 950B disposed on a top surface of the protruded first substrate 910B is more extended to the outside than a side surface 904 of the second substrate 930B. In this case, top surfaces of the plurality of signal lines 950B are exposed to the outside and may form third pads PAD3.

[00104] In this case, a plurality of side lines 970B are disposed to cover the exposed top surfaces of the plurality of signal lines 950B, i.e., the third pads PAD3. Thus, a contact area C9B between a side line 970B and a signal line 950B has a size equal to (a height dl of the signal line 950B + a length d3 of the exposed top surface of the signal line 95013) x a width of the signal line 950B. That is, the contact area C9B between the side line 970B and the signal line 950B includes a side surface of the signal line 950B as well as the top surface of the signal line 950B exposed due to the step between the first substrate 9105 and the second substrate 930B.

Thus, the contact area 09B between the side line 970B and the signal line 950B of the display panel 900B shown in FIG. 9B is greater than the contact area C9A between the side line 970A and the signal line 950A of the display panel 900A shown in FIG. 9A. Due to an increase in the contact area, a current transferred to the signal line through the side line can be greatly increased. Accordingly, it becomes easy to implement a large organic light emitting display device.

Page 38 [00105] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 93, insulating layer 980A, 980B does not extend from beneath the first substrate 910A, 910B to a plurality of link lines 960 on a top surface of the second substrate 930B. Rather, the insulating layer 980A, 980B extends from a side surface of the first substrate 910A, 910B to the plurality of link lines 960. Thus, a portion of the side surface of the first substrate 910A, 910B remains exposed and uncovered by insulating layer 980A, 98015.

[00106] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be described as follows: [00107]According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a multi-panel organic light emitting display device. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device comprises a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other. Each of the plurality of display panels includes a base substrate including an active area and a non-active area surrounding the active area, a display unit including an organic light emitting element disposed on a top surface of the base substrate, a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to the display unit, a plurality of link lines disposed under the base substrate, a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and connecting the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines, and a driving circuit disposed under the base substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of link Page 39 lines.

[00108] The plurality of side lines may include a patterned metal layer to connect the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines, respectively.

[00109] The multi-panel organic light emitting display device may further comprise an insulating layer covering the plurality of side lines, and the insulating layer may contain a black material.

[00110] The insulating layer may be prepared as a single layer 10 to surround the entire side surface of the base substrate and cover all of the plurality of side lines.

[00111] The insulating layer may include a plurality of insulating patterns corresponding to the plurality of side lines, respectively.

[00112] The plurality of link lines and the driving circuit may be disposed on a rear surface of the base substrate, and the driving circuit may include at least one of a gate driving integrated circuit and a data driving integrated circuit.

[00113] The multi-panel organic light emitting display device may further comprise an auxiliary substrate bonded to a lower side of the base substrate, and the plurality of link lines and the driving circuit may be disposed on a rear surface of the auxiliary substrate, and the plurality of side lines may be disposed to cover side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines, the base substrate, the auxiliary substrate, and the plurality of link lines.

[00114] The driving circuit may include a gate driving Page 40 integrated circuit and a data driving integrated circuit, the plurality of link lines may include a plurality of gate link lines connected to the gate driving integrated circuit and a plurality of data link lines connected to the data driving integrated circuit, and the plurality of signal lines may include a plurality of gate lines electrically connected to the plurality of gate link lines and a plurality of data lines electrically connected to the plurality of data link lines.

[00115] The driving circuit may include a data driving integrated circuit, the plurality of link lines may include a plurality of data link lines connected to the data driving integrated circuit, the plurality of signal lines may include a plurality of data lines electrically connected to the plurality of data link lines, a gate driving integrated circuit may be disposed on the top surface of the base substrate, and the auxiliary substrate may have a smaller size than the base substrate.

[00116] The plurality of side lines may be in direct contact with side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines and the 20 plurality of link lines.

[00117] The multi-panel organic light emitting display device may further comprise an encapsulation substrate disposed on the display unit to be opposite to the base substrate, and the base substrate may be more protruded to the outside than the encapsulation substrate and the plurality of signal lines may be disposed on the protruded base substrate, and the plurality of side lines may be disposed to be in contact with exposed Page 41 top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines.

[00118] The plurality of display panels may include a first display panel and a second display panel adjacent to each other, and the distance between pixels disposed in the first display panel may be equal to the distance between outermost adjacent pixels of the first display panda and the second display panel.

[00119]According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a multi-panel organic light emitting display device. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device compises a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other. Each of the plurality of display panels includes a base substrate including an active area and a non-active area surrounding the active area, a display unit including an organic light emitting element disposed on a top surface of the base substrate, an encapsulation substrate disposed on the display unit to be opposite to the base substrate, a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to the display unit, a plurality of link lines disposed on a top surface of the encapsulation substrate and connected to a driving circuit, and a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and connecting the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines.

[00120] The display unit may include a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and an organic light emitting Page 42 element disposed on the thin film transistor, and the organic light emitting element may include an anode made of a transparent conductive material, a plurality of organic layers including an emitting layer, and a cathode made of a metal material.

[00121] The plurality of side lines may include a patterned metal layer to connect the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines, respectively.

[00122] The multi-panel organic light emitting display device 10 may further comprise an insulating layer covering the plurality of side lines, and the insulating layer may contain a black material.

[00123] The plurality of side lines may be in direct contact with side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines and the 15 plurality of link lines.

[00124] The base substrate may be more protruded to the outside than the encapsulation substrate and the plurality of signal lines may be disposed on the protruded base substrate, and the plurality of side lines may be disposed to be in contact with exposed top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines.

[00125] The plurality of display panels may include a first display panel and a second display panel adjacent to each other, and the distance between pixels disposed in the first display panel may be equal to the distance between outermost adjacent pixels of the first display panda and the second display panel.

Page 43 [00126]Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be embodied in many different forms without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for illustrative purposes only but not intended to limit the technical concept of the present disclosure. The scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described exemplary embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present disclosure. The protective scope of the present disclosure should be construed based on the following claims, and all the technical concepts in the equivalent scope thereof should be construed as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

Page 44 Below follows a list of numbered aspects. These aspects may be combined with any other features described herein in any combination beyond those expressly stated below: 1. A multi-panel organic light emitting display device, comprising: a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other, wherein each of the plurality of display panels includes: a base substrate including an active area and a non-10 active area surrounding the active area; a display unit including an organic light emitting element disposed on a top surface of the base substrate; a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to the display unit; a plurality of link lines disposed under the base substrate; a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and connecting the plurality of signal 20 lines and the plurality of link lines; and a driving circuit disposed under the base substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of link lines.

2. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 25 device according to aspect 1, wherein the plurality of side lines includes a patterned metal layer to connect the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines, Page 45 respectively.

3. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 1, further comprising: an insulating layer covering the plurality of side lines, wherein the insulating layer contains a black material.

4. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 3, wherein the insulating layer is prepared as a single layer to surround the entire side surface of the base substrate and cover all of the plurality of side lines.

5. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 15 device according to aspect 3, wherein the insulating layer includes a plurality of insulating patterns corresponding to the plurality of side lines, respectively.

6. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 20 device according to aspect 1, wherein the plurality of link lines and the driving circuit are disposed on a rear surface of the base substrate, and the driving circuit includes at least one of a gate driving integrated circuit and a data driving integrated 25 circuit.

7. The multi-panel organic light emitting display Page 46 device according to aspect 1, further comprising: an auxiliary substrate bonded to a lower side of the base substrate, wherein the plurality of link lines and the driving 5 circuit are disposed on a rear surface of the auxiliary substrate, and the plurality of side lines is disposed to cover side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines, the base substrate, the auxiliary substrate, and the plurality of link lines.

8. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 7, wherein the driving circuit includes a gate driving integrated circuit and a data driving integrated circuit, the plurality of link lines includes a plurality of gate link lines connected to the gate driving integrated circuit and a plurality of data link lines connected to the data driving integrated circuit, and the plurality of signal lines includes a plurality of 20 gate lines electrically connected to the plurality of gate link lines and a plurality of data lines electrically connected to the plurality of data link lines.

9. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 25 device according to aspect 7, wherein the driving circuit includes a data driving integrated circuit, the plurality of link lines includes a plurality of data Page 47 link lines connected to the data driving integrated circuit, the plurality of signal lines includes a plurality of data lines electrically connected to the plurality of data link lines, a gate driving integrated circuit is disposed on the top surface of the base substrate, and the auxiliary substrate has a smaller size than the base substrate.

10. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 1, wherein the plurality of side lines is in direct contact with side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines.

11. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 10, further comprising: an encapsulation substrate disposed on the display unit to be opposite to the base substrate, wherein the base substrate is more protruded to the 20 outside than the encapsulation substrate and the plurality of signal lines is disposed on the protruded base substrate, and the plurality of side lines is disposed to be in contact with exposed top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines.

12. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 1, wherein the plurality of display Page 48 panels includes a first display panel and a seccnd display panel adjacent to each other, and the distance between pixels disposed in the first display panel is equal to the distance between outermost adjacent 5 pixels of the first display oanela and the second display panel.

13. A multi-panel organic light emitting display device, comprising: a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other, wherein each of the plurality of display panels includes: a base substrate including an active area and a non-active area surrounding the active area; a display unit including an organic light emitting element disposed on a top surface of the base substrate; an encapsulation substrate disposed on the display unit to be opposite to the base substrate; a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface 20 of the base substrate and electrically connected to the display unit; a plurality of link lines disposed on a top surface of the encapsulation substrate and connected to a driving circuit; and a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and connecting the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines.

Page 49 14. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 13, wherein the display unit includes a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and an organic light emitting element disposed on the thin film transistor, and the organic light emitting element includes an anode made of a transparent conductive material, a plurality of organic layers including an emitting layer, and a cathode made of a 10 metal material.

15. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 13, wherein the plurality of side lines includes a patterned metal layer to connect the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines, respectively.

16. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 13, further comprising: an insulating layer covering the plurality of side lines, wherein the insulating layer contains a black material.

17. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 13, wherein the plurality of side 25 lines is in direct contact with side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines.

Page 50 18. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 13, wherein the base substrate is more protruded to the outside than the encapsulation substrate and the plurality of signal lines is disposed on the protruded base substrate, and the plurality of side lines is disposed to be in contact with exposed top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines.

19. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to aspect 13, wherein the plurality of display panels includes a first display panel and a second display panel adjacent to each other, and the distance between pixels disposed in the first display 15 panel is equal to the distance between outermost adjacent pixels of the first display oanela and the second display panel.

Page 51 Below follows a list of numbered items. These items may be combined with any other features described herein in any combination beyond those expressly stated below: 1. A multi-panel organic light emitting display device, 5 comprising: a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other, wherein each of the plurality of display panels includes: a base substrate including an active area and a non-10 active area surrounding the active area; a display unit, including an organic light emitting element, disposed on a top surface of the base substrate; a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to the 15 display unit; a plurality of link lines disposed under the base substrate; a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and electrically connecting the plurality 20 of signal lines to the plurality of link lines; and a driving circuit disposed under the base substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of link lines.

2. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 25 device according to item 1, wherein the plurality of side lines includes a patterned metal layer to connect each of the plurality of signal lines to a corresponding one of the Page 52 plurality of link lines.

3. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to item 1 or item 2, further comprising: an insulating layer covering the plurality of side lines, wherein the insulating layer contains a black material.

4. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to item 3, wherein the insulating layer is prepared as a single layer to surround the entire side surface of the base substrate and cover all of the plurality of side lines.

5. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 15 device according to item 3, wherein the insulating layer includes a plurality of insulating patterns corresponding to the plurality of side lines, respectively.

6. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 20 device according to any preceding item, wherein the plurality of link lines and the driving circuit are disposed on a bottom surface of the base substrate, and the driving circuit includes at least one of a gate driving integrated circuit and a data driving integrated 25 circuit.

7. The multi-panel organic light emitting display Page 53 device according to any one of items 1 to 5, further comprising: an auxiliary substrate bonded to the bottom surface of the base substrate, wherein the plurality of side lines is disposed to cover side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines, the base substrate, the auxiliary substrate, and the plurality of link lines.

8. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to item 7, wherein the driving circuit includes a gate driving integrated circuit and a data driving integrated circuit, and wherein the plurality of link lines and the driving circuit are disposed on a rear surface of the auxiliary substrate, the plurality of link lines includes a plurality of gate link lines electrically connected to the gate driving integrated circuit and a plurality of data link lines electrically connected to the data driving integrated circuit, and the plurality of signal lines includes a plurality of gate lines, each of which is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of gate link lines, and a plurality of data lines, each of which is electrically connected a corresponding one of to the plurality of data link lines.

Page 54 9. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to item 7, wherein the driving circuit includes a gate driving integrated circuit and a data driving integrated circuit, and wherein the gate driving integrated circuit is disposed on the top surface of the base substrate, and the data driving integrated circuit is disposed on a rear surface of the auxiliary substrate, the plurality of link lines includes a plurality of data link lines electrically connected to the data driving 10 integrated circuit, the plurality of signal lines includes a plurality of data lines each of which is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of data link lines, and the auxiliary substrate has a smaller size than the base 15 substrate.

10. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to any preceding item, wherein each of the plurality of side lines is in direct contact with corresponding side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines.

11. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to item 10, further comprising: an encapsulation substrate disposed on a surface of the display unit opposite to the base substrate, wherein the base substrate is more protruded to the Page 55 outside of a respective display panel than the encapsulation substrate and the plurality of signal lines is disposed on the protruded base substrate, and the plurality of side lines is disposed to be in contact 5 with exposed top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines.

12. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to any preceding item, wherein the plurality 10 of display panels includes a first display panel and a second display panel adjacent to each other, and a distance between pixels disposed in the first display panel is equal to a distance between outermost adjacent pixels of the first display panel and the second display panel.

13. A multi-panel organic light emitting display device, comprising: a plurality of display panels disposed to be adjacent to each other, wherein each of the plurality of display panels includes: a base substrate including an active area and a non-active area surrounding the active area; a display unit, including an organic light emitting element, disposed on a top surface of the base substrate; an encapsulation substrate disposed on a surface of the display unit opposite to the base substrate; a plurality of signal lines disposed on the top surface Page 56 of the base substrate and electrically connected to the display unit; a plurality of link lines disposed on a top surface of the encapsulation substrate and electrically connected to a 5 driving circuit; and a plurality of side lines disposed on a side surface of the base substrate and electrically connecting the plurality of signal lines to the plurality of link lines.

14. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to item 13, wherein the pluralioy of side lines includes a patterned metal layer to electrically connect each of the plurality of signal lines to a corresponding one of the plurality of link lines.

15. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to item 13 or item 14, further comprising: an insulating layer covering the plurality of side lines, wherein the insulating layer contains a black material. 20 16. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to any one of items 13 to 15, wherein the plurality of side lines is in direct contact with side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of link lines.

17. The multi-panel organic light emitting display Page 57 device according to any one of items 13 to 16, wherein the base substrate is more protruded to the outside of a respective display panel than the encapsulation substrate and the plurality of signal lines is disposed on the protruded base substrate, and the plurality of side lines is disposed to be in contact with exposed top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of signal lines.

18. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to any one of items 13 to 17, wherein the plurality of display panels includes a first display panel and a second display panel adjacent to each other, and a distance between pixels disposed in the first display 15 panel is equal to a distance between outermost adjacent pixels of the first display panel and the second display panel.

19. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device according to any preceding item, wherein the display unit includes a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and an organic light emitting element disposed on the thin film transistor, and the organic light emitting element includes an anode made of a transparent conductive material, a plurality of organic 25 layers including an emitting layer, and a cathode made of a metal material.

Page 58

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An organic light emitting display device, comprising: a substrate including a first area configured to display an image and a second area that does not display an image and includes electrical contact pads, the second area being adjacent to the first area; and a plurality of pixels arranged in the first area, each of 10 the pixels of the plurality being spaced a selected distance apart from an adjacent pixel of the plurality in a first direction, wherein a width of the second area is less than the selected distance between the adjacent pixels, the width being a distance between an outermost end of the substrate in the first direction and an outermost pixel adjacent to the outermost end of the substrate.
2. The organic light emitting display device of claim 1, wherein the width of the second area is approximately equal to or less than half of the selected distance between the adjacent pixels.
3. The organic light emitting display device of claim 1, further comprising: an insulating layer on the second area, the insulating layer including a black colored material.
Page 59 4. The organic light emitting display device of claim 1, further comprising: side lines configured to connect the contact pads, the 5 side lines being at least partially on a side surface of the substrate; and an insulating layer configured to at least partially cover the side lines, wherein the second area includes the side lines and the 10 insulating layer.
5. The organic light emitting display device of claim 4, wherein the insulating layer at least partially covers the side surface of the substrate over the side lines.
6. The organic light emitting display device of claim 4, wherein the insulating layer is a single layer extending over an entire side surface of the substrate over all of the side lines.
7. An organic light emitting display device, comprising: a substrate having thereon a plurality of pixels; and an insulating layer configured to at least partially 25 cover a side surface of the substrate, an outermost pixel of the plurality of pixels is immediately adjacent to the insulating layer, and Page 60 wherein a longest distance between an end of the outermost pixel and an end of the insulating layer is less than or approximately equal to half of a distance between adjacent pixels.
8. The organic light emitting display device of claim 7, wherein: the plurality of pixels are configured to include an emission area, the longest distance is a distance between an outermost end of the insulating layer and the emission area of the outermost pixel.
9. The organic light emitting display device of claim 7, further comprising: side lines configured at least partially on the side surface of the substrate, wherein the insulating layer is configured to at least partially cover the side lines.
10. The organic light emitting display device of claim 9, further comprising: an auxiliary substrate on the a rear surface of the substrate; an adhesive layer between the substrate and the auxiliary substrate; and link lines on a rear surface of the auxiliary substrate, Page 61 wherein the side lines are configured on the side surface of the substrate and a side surface of the auxiliary substrate, and are configured to be elec7rically connected to the link lines.
U. The organic light emitting display device of claim wherein the insulating layer is a single layer extending 10 over an entire side surface of the side surface of the substrate and the auxiliary substrate and covering all of the side lines.
12. The organic light emitting display device of claim 11, wherein the insulating layer further covers an edge of a front surface of the substrate and an edge of a rear surface of the auxiliary substrate.
13. The organic light emitting display device of any one of claims 4 to 6, and 9 to 12, wherein the insulating layer includes a plurality of insulating patterns corresponding to the side lines, respectively.
14. A multi-panel organic light emitting display device, 25 comprising: a plurality of display devices arranged in a form of a tile array, Page 62 wherein each of the plurality of display devices includes the organic light emitting display device of any one of claims 1 to 13.
15. A multi-panel organic light emitting display device, comprising: a first display device including a plurality of pixels configured to display an image; and a second display device adjacent to the first display 10 device and including a plurality of pixels configured to display an image, wherein each of the plurality of pixels are spaced from adjacent pixels at a pitch, and wherein a distance between outermost pixel of the first 15 display device and a corresponding outermost pixel of the second display device is less than the pitch between the adjacent pixels.
16. The multi-panel organic light emitting display 20 device of claim 15, wherein: the plurality of pixels are configured to include an emission area, the emission area having a length and a width that is substantially identical to the length, and the pitch between the pixels is a sum of the distance 25 between outermost pixels of the first display device and the second display device and the length of the emission area.
Page 63 17. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device of claim 15, wherein: each of the first display device and the second display device includes a substrate including a first area configured 5 to have the plurality of pixels and a second area configured to have signal lines, the plurality of pixels are configured to include an emission area, and the second area is between the emission area of the 10 outermost pixels and an outermost end of the substrate.
18. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device of claim 17, wherein the distance between outermost pixel of the first display device and a corresponding outermost pixel of the second display device is twice a width of the second area of any one of the first display device and the second display device, and wherein the width is a distance between the outermost end of the substrate and an outermost pixel adjacent to the 20 outermost end of the substrate.
19. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device of claim 17, wherein each of the first display device and the second 25 display device further includes: side lines configured on a side surface of the substrate and connected to the signal lines; and Page 64 an insulating layer configured to at least partially cover the side lines, wherein the second area includes the side lines and the insulating layer.
20. The multi-panel organic light emitting display device of claim 19, wherein a width of the second area is a distance between the emission area of the outermost pixels and an end of the insulating layer, and wherein the width is a distance between the outermost end of the substrate and an outermost pixel adjacent to the outermost end of the substrate.Page 65